Category: Flooring

Installing new flooring is a big decision. Because the floor is often the largest uninterrupted space in a room, the look and feel of the flooring can set the tone all by itself: is this a warm room, or a cool one? A place to hang out and relax, a place to eat, or a place to work?

On top of this ability to dominate the mood of a room, the installation of new flooring is often a time-consuming and expensive project. Generally, people choose flooring with the intention of keeping it for many years. No one wants to hate something they’re going to look at for the next decade, so below, you’ll find a list of the best flooring ideas for 2017, along with a rough estimate of how much each type of floor would cost to install.

Hardwood

Hardwood flooring is one of the hottest flooring options this year, even in places where you wouldn’t traditionally see wooden floors: for instance, wood flooring has become the most popular kitchen flooring choice. This is especially the case for open layouts, where consistent flooring between the kitchen and living area helps the space to flow seamlessly.

There are a wide variety of hardwood options – from traditional hardwoods like oak, noted for its timeless beauty; to the newly popular bamboo, a renewable resource that is twice as hard as traditional woods; to the oh-so-trendy reclaimed wood, as famous for its unique look as it is for its sustainability.

The most popular choices this year are darker in color, gray, or otherwise aged-looking, as more and more people go for a vintage or rustic-inspired look.

Pros: Wood is beautiful and naturally warm, and can be sanded and refinished when damage is an issue. Some wood flooring is extremely green-friendly – look for wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Cons: Wood does not respond to dampness or humidity well, and can warp, discolor, or shrink, although some finishes may have less problems with this.

Cost installed: $8.00 to $12.00 per square foot, depending on the type of wood, project size, and your home’s location.

ROI: When you install quality hardwood floors for the right property, your ROI will be around 75%, depending on the total cost of the project and your property location.